ZBA approves pharmacy

Wednesday

Feb 13, 2013 at 11:21 AM

By BILL HALL

By BILL HALL

Associate Editor

SWANSEA — The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a request by Dr. Tushar Patel to place a pharmacy business in the building he owns at the corner of Macomber Avenue and Wilbur Avenue, during its meeting held Thursday night at Case High School.

Dr. Patel was present along with his attorney, Raymond Gallison, and requested that the first floor of the building include an independent pharmacy. It was pointed out that Dr. Patel may also have offices on the second floor.

Atty. Gallison noted that there would be no structural changes to the building.

Dr. Patel was appealing the denial by Building Inspector David Betts to use the existing building as a retail pharmacy business, noting that a special permit would be needed to put the business there.

It was noted that the cleaning business that had been at the location, closed in 2006 after the contract with the Newport Naval Base expired.

Dr. Patel noted that the second floor would be used as medical office as it had before.

ZBA member Paul Treloar noted that during the 1960s and 1970s, he operated the Sunoco Station that is across the street from the proposed business. He pointed out that he would rather see buildings occupied than empty, noting that an empty structure encourages all types of issues.

ZBA member Crawford Kirkpatrick noted that the building inspector's denial may be due to having more than one business on the same parcel.

Mr. Treloar added that this was not a normal retail business in that it would have controlled substances available by prescription.

Dr. Patel noted that the building once had as many as four businesses operating in it.

Abutters Thomas and Sandra Fournier of Bristol Avenue noted that the abandoned building has been an eyesore and invited trouble with people hanging out "smoking pot" and being disruptive.

Mr. Fournier noted that he has contacted the Swansea Board of Health about a rat problem there.

Dr. Patel countered by saying that he has put $300,000 into the building and that it is all metal and concrete. He has had a person maintain the building even when it was empty.

Chairman Paul Grillo and his colleagues noted that it would be better to have a business occupying the building and agreed to a one year special permit at which time they could review the conditions of the property.